The Neotropical Ecology Program consists of two courses that provide opportunities for students to learn firsthand about some of the important ecosystems found in the neotropics including: lowland rain forest, middle elevation montane and cloud forests, and the diverse ecosystems of the high elevation shrub lands (páramo). The first course begins on the UO campus in the spring and prepares students for their studies in Ecuador. It involves students developing a field project that will be conducted in Ecuador. The completion of this field project is considered part of this graded portion of the program. The second course includes field work in all of the ecosystems mentioned above, as well as lectures lead by an international team of biologists and field guides.